ANNAPOLIS, Maryland — Gov. Martin O'Malley is calling attention to reduced crime rates in Maryland, but initiatives he's proposing to increase prison security went unmentioned in his final State of the State speech.

O'Malley, a Democrat, said Thursday that Maryland now has reduced violent crime to 30-year lows. He also underscored that there are now fewer people incarcerated in Maryland's prisons now than at any time since 1994.

But the governor avoided mention of a variety of steps he's taking to increase prison security in the aftermath of 44 federal indictments last year in a contraband conspiracy at the Baltimore City Detention Center.

For example, he is proposing some changes to the Correctional Officers' Bill of Rights. He also has put $4 million in the budget to hire 100 correctional officers.